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Ranchi

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Ranchi is the capital city of the Indian state of Jharkhand. It also serves as the state's largest district by population. The city is located in the southern part of the Chota Nagpur plateau. This plateau is the eastern section of the larger Deccan plateau. Ranchi sits near the Tropic of Cancer. The city has a hilly topography and is surrounded by dense tropical forests. These natural features help create a moderate climate. Because of its many waterfalls, the city is nicknamed the City of Waterfalls.

Kanke Dam - Ranchi 9308
Kanke Dam - Ranchi 9308

The name Ranchi has several possible origins. One popular story involves a British captain named Thomas Wilkinson. He chose a village called Archi to be his headquarters. In the local Nagpuri dialect, Archi means bamboo forest. Some believe the name comes from the Mundari word "aranchi." This word refers to a short stick used for driving cattle. Others suggest "aranchi" refers to a bi-weekly market. A third story links the name to a local bird called the rici. In the Mundari language, rici is the name for the black kite. The Pahari Mandir landmark is also known as Rici Buru, or the hill of the kites.

Tagore hill Ranchi
Tagore hill Ranchi

The history of the region stretches back thousands of years. Archaeologists found iron tools and pot sheds from around 1400 BCE. The Magadha Empire exercised indirect control over this territory. Later, the armies of Samudra Gupta passed through the region. In the 4th century CE, the Nagvanshi king Raja Pratap Rai chose Chutia as his capital. Some ruins in Chutia date back to the 2nd century CE. In 1691, Thakur Ani Nath Shahdeo built the Jagannath Temple.

IMGJagannathpur Temple
IMGJagannathpur Temple

British influence changed the region significantly in the 19th century. After the Battle of Buxar, the Nagvanshi rulers became vassals of the East India Company. In 1843, Captain Wilkinson moved his headquarters to Kishunpur. He renamed the village Ranchi. The city became a municipality in 1869. In 1872, the first census recorded 116,426 inhabitants in the Ranchi area. The city also holds importance in the fight for Indian independence. The freedom fighter Birsa Munda died in the Ranchi jail in 1900. Later, Jyotirindranath Tagore settled in the area. Tagore Hill is named in his memory.

Tagore hill Ranchi
Tagore hill Ranchi

Ranchi has experienced rapid growth in recent decades. The population growth rate jumped from 3.5% in 1901 to 14% between 1951 and 1971. This increase was caused by new industries and the arrival of refugees after partition. In 1958, the city became an administrative and industrial center. This happened when the Heavy Engineering Corporation was established. Ranchi also hosts the Steel Authority of India Ltd and Central Coalfields Ltd. The city remained the summer capital of Bihar until 2000. That year, Jharkhand was formed, and Ranchi became its capital.

Today, Ranchi is a major urban center with a diverse population. The urban agglomeration has 1,456,528 people. This makes it the 32nd most populous urban agglomeration in India. The city is being developed as a Smart City. This is part of the Smart Cities Mission led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ranchi is also a top employer in India. A 2010 study showed it was one of the highest employment-generating Tier-III cities. The city is known for its pleasant climate and clean air. It was ranked as the 32nd best National Clean Air City in India.

Ranchi Junction railway station entrance at night
Ranchi Junction railway station entrance at night

Infrastructure supports the city's large population and economic needs. The Birsa Munda Airport is the busiest airport in the state. It connects Ranchi to major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The city is also served by four railway stations. Ranchi Junction is one of the main hubs. The Ranchi Municipal Corporation manages many local services. This includes roads, water supply, and waste management. The city is also home to important landmarks like the Kanke Dam. These systems help Ranchi function as a modern state capital.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:IMGJagannathpur Temple.jpg
IMGJagannathpur Temple.jpg
File:Kanke Dam - Ranchi 9308.JPG
Kanke Dam - Ranchi 9308.JPG
File:Tagore hill Ranchi.jpg
Tagore hill Ranchi.jpg
File:Ranchi Airport Night View.jpg
Ranchi Airport Night View.jpg
File:Ranchi Junction railway station entrance at night.jpg
Ranchi Junction railway station entrance...
File:JSCA cricket stadium Entrance.jpg
JSCA cricket stadium Entrance.jpg
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